Rail or track clamp



May 5, 1925.-

J. H. STEVENS RAIL OR TRACK CLAMP Filed April 17. 1922 amxwn/hoz IJH5le1/en.s.

Patented May 5, 1925,

mes. I-I. s rnvnns, or SANDTJSKY, 0am.

RAIL on rnaon dean-e Application filed April 17, 1922. Serial No.553,317.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that JOHN H. S'rnvnivs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Sandu sky, in the county ofErie and State of Ohio, hasinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail or Track Clamps, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a aw clamp adaptedto be securely clamped tothe track portion of a railroad tie, and has for its primary object toprovide a rail clamp to be used in connection with steam shovels mountedon railroad tracks.

A further object of my invention is to provide a jaw clamp for railroadrails, that can be quicklyapplied to a rail, and when in position, willact as a chock to prevent backward movement of a steam shovel.

A further object is to provide a rail clamp adapted to be used in allyards and railroad terminals to act as a chock to prevent rail? roadcars running beyond a predetermined point.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a clamp of theabove described character, which consists of three parts, so that incase one of the parts should become broken, 1t Wlll not be necessary tocast aside the old clamp for a new one, as the broken part can be easilyreplaced and used with the remaining parts.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a rail clamp of theabove described character, that is simple in operation, durable, andefiicient for all purposes intended, and one that can be manufacturedand placed on the market at a relatively low cost. 1

These and other objects will be further understood as the description ofthe invention follows.

The embodiment with which this invention, is shown is in the form of aclamp which is adapted to clamp the headsof a rail on all sides. Thisclamp is shown in the form of a pair of jaws loosely connected through avertical slot in one of them, so that when a strain is exerted on one ofthe jaws it causes them to move towards each other firmly grasping theweb of a rail. While it is my intention to make this clamp in all sizes,it is so constructed that the largest clamp will lit the smallest rail,,in which connection a wedge is used which passes through alignedopenings provided in each of the jaws, so that the wedge will not onlygrip the top of the rail head, but also cause the jaws to approach eachother, and more firmly grip the rail web on both sides. The jaws arealso provided with openings that aline, through which the wedge can beinserted, so that the wedge will ride crosswise of the rail, instead ofparallel with same as I have hereinafter illustrated and described.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like numerals will be used todesignate like parts throughout the several views, and

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved clamp applied to use onarail;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof; and

Figure 3 is a section therethrough as seen on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the invention shown in the drawing, 1 and 2represent a pair of jaws which grip the head of a rail 3 and adapted tohold in position a tie or some other member extending across therailroad track, against which the wheels of a car dredge or other carcan rest, so that said'car will be held in a fixed position. It has notbeen deemed necessary to show a tie or other member in the drawings. Theclamping member 1 is provided with a shoulder or projection fl, whichrests in engagement when in use with a web of a ra-il while the upperportion of the clamp l is provided with a second shoulder 5 adapted toengage a wedge 6 when same is used in connection with the clamping jaws.One of the jaws is approximately U-shaped in cross section, the lowerend of same designated by the numeral 7 is adapted to engage the web ofa rail adjacent the shoulder 4; of the clamp 1, while the upper portionof same is arcuated and rests firmly on the inclined face of the upperportion of the shoulder 5 of the clamp 1. The clamping jaw 2 is providedwith a vertical slot 9 to receive an enlarged portion 10 carried by theshoulder 5 centrally thereof. One of the jaws, in this instance, the jaw1, is provided with an extension 11, through which is fastened bysuitable means a handle 12 so that the device as a whole may be readilylifted, and also that a hook or other connection, not shown, may bereadily secured in the handle, thus using the same as an anchor for atie or hoist rope.

From the foregoing description, it can be readily seen that I haveprovided a device that is not only efiicient and durable for the purposespecified but the same can be readily used in connection with a hoistfor removing and replacing new rails on the railroads. When desiring touse my device for the purpose intended, the jaw member 1 is placed inposition, the aw member 2 is then placed on the opposite side of therail, by passing the same over the handle and extension 11 formed on theclamp 1, said handle and extension passing through the vertical groove9, and should the clamp be larger than the rail, so that same will nothold securely thereon, a wedge is driven between the aligned openings inthe clamping jaws parallel with the rail, or through an opening at rightangle to the rail, both of which would cause the jaws l and 7 to firmlygrip the web of the rail, thus securely anchoring the clamp in position.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention,I realize that minor details may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention, therefore, I do not wish to limitmyself to the exact details shown or material used, but wish to makesuch changes as fall within my invention.

What I claim as new for my invention and desire to secure by LettersPatent is 1. In a device of the above described character, a pair ofsubstantially U-shaped jaws, one of said jaws provided with an extensionon its upper end, a second jaw member provided with a vertical opening,said extension on the first mentioned jaw adapted to extendtherethrough, and means for causing the jaws to firmly grasp the web ofa rail.

:2. ln a device of the class described, a pair of substantially U-shapedjaws, one of said jaws provided with an extension on its upper end, theother jaw having an elongated slot therein, said extension on the firstmentioned jaw extending through said slot forming interfitting clampingjaws, and a wedge associated with said jaws for causing the latter tofirmly grip the web of said rail.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN H. STEVENS.

